Right here, right now.

I have read testimonies of persecution in countries such as China and ponder how we would survive if our Church ever had such a battle for faith.

Perhaps to dwell on this too much is to miss the very real battle that we are in right here, right now. I found the second service emotional to preach on Sunday at the thought of our members falling into sin and away from Jesus and life.

I was struck by CJ's comments in his book Worldliness: "The biggest challenge to you today is not persecution from the world, its seduction by the world... That’s how we lose people… Not really attacked from the outside but decaying from within."

This has to be taken seriously. I pray that people might respond well in homegroups this week and help each other to resist the seduction from the world and be overwhelmed by Jesus.

This is it

Chloe and I went to see Michael Jackson's film last week. He was amazing. His attention to detail, his singing, his dancing and his creativity was inspiring. I've never seen anything like it. Had he pulled those concerts off they would have been something else. Genius.

I read this week from AW Tozer, "Man for all his genius is but an echo of the original voice, a reflection of the uncreated light. As a sunbeam perishes when cut off from the sun, so man apart from God would pass back into the void of nothingness from which he first leaped at the creative call."

I still don't know what to make of Micheal Jackson. I had Bad, Dangerous and History and as a young boy I learnt as many of his dance moves as I could. The worship he received from millions was testified to by the interviews from his dancers on film. Then there was the children (!) and those TV interviews and now his song which is being played around the world... "I am the light of the world," he sings. The Bible declares, "it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment." I wonder how Jackson will feel when he meets The Light of the World. I'm glad God knows all that went on and will deal with it.

Gifting is always pleasing to the eye. Micheal Jackson's gifting and creativity reveals something of God to me, the creator of creativity. Jackson in all his glory and gifting was but an echo of the creative genius of Jesus Christ, who gave him all his gifts.

Proverbs 7

If you didn't catch the sermon on Sunday you can download it from Dave Bish's blog (thebluefish.org)...

Thanks to some helpful comments from Dave and my wife, the second service I feel was more helpful. :-)

Draw your weapon

Some verses mentioned on Sunday on the following...

God doesn’t mind sin…

Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

A little bit wont hurt…

Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

I don’t have to do anything…

2Ti 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

I can’t control it…

1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
1Th 4:4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,
1Th 4:5 not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Temptation is too much…

1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

When you stuff up…

1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Draw your weapon

I have found these notes helpful as I learn to handle the sword of the Spirit in the fight against temptation. Not all we need but definitely something we need to learn...



Pro 7:1-3 My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Pray – ask for help from His Spirit…

1) Identify and define Sin biblically.
What are you hoping for?
Define heart motives as God describes.
What are you saying about God?
What is the lie?

2) Embrace the gospel.
See the cross. Confess, ask for forgiveness.
Who are you in Christ?
What is your deepest desire?
Thank God.

3) Take practical steps to help.
Places you go...
People you see...
Things you look at or listen to...
Words you say…
Confess and apologise where you need to.

4) Replace sin with Christ.
Replace lies with truth.
Declare what is true of you in Christ.
Declare what is not true.
Meditate and pray over key passages of God’s word.
Ask God for more faith and more of him!
Sharpen your sword and preach to yourself regularly!
Put verses in key places. Car, work, dairy etc…

5) Share with someone you trust.
Tell someone what you are battling.
Meet to share and update.
Make yourself accountable.

6) Review steps 1-5 daily and 6 as you agree.

In the Christian life God has many means of grace for us. Specific forgiveness and pastoral help will of course at times be needed, but the above is not a bad place to start...

Alpha - The reality of the human condition

Was good again to gather among friends and have some banter around the table. I love the way through the Church and through friends I'm always meeting new people and enjoying the company of new friends. I'm looking forward to some golf with a couple of the boys. Our next 'Band of Brothers' event is November 22nd. This cannot come quick enough. At the moment we all have to face the horrible reality of Matt Giles walking round as the self proclaimed 'strongest man in the Church' which was again a dominant topic over dinner!

The topic for the evening was, 'the problem'. John Fielder talked us through the thorough pollution of the human heart and the ultimate penalty.

Whenever hell is talked about it provokes a response. Some are deeply offended, others are provoked to really think and take Jesus seriously for the first time. We had some great questions being considered on our table. 'What's the point of trying to be a good person if my best efforts are filthy rags?' 'How are we saved if the situation is so bleak and depressing?'.

Personally I was struck again at the depth and reality of my need for a saviour. The reality of eternity and the weight of the message we carry.

I guess when pondering hell a couple of questions will always need considering...

• How do you define good?
• Who can judge?
• How bad is the crime?
• How valuable is the object of our offence?

The Lounge - Sunday 1st November

We had another good week at The Lounge. Was really good to see so much of our Church family there. Its good to catch up and spend some time together as we share life. A good number of guests were among us and others are hoping to make the next Lounge.

The music was quality. Both James Dixon and Matt Giles were really good to listen to. Good to see some quality on the open the mic after as well.

The theme was 'success'. I laid out the idea of success being a god (something that you live for...) is rubbish compared to Jesus. I told a story of a man who is close to me to warn of the dangers. Again we had some great questions coming in. Personally I'm pleased with how things are going. I was a bit ill on Sunday and my voice just about lasted and the evening was solid! :-)